When people think of injuries stemming from a falling accident, they often think of relatively minor injuries like sprains, strains, bruising or maybe even broken bones. While these are certainly common, the fact is that many people suffer quite severe injuries in falling accidents that leave them permanently or temporarily disabled.
Depending on your physical health and the type of fall you suffer, the ramifications of a fall can be devastating. While everyone is at some risk of falling, there are some factors that can increase the chances of being seriously injured as a result of a fall.
- Your physical condition: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that falls can be worse for people who have difficulty walking, vitamin deficiencies, vision problems and other health concerns because they can increase the likelihood of a fall in the first place. Age can also be a factor in the seriousness of falls.
- The location of the fall: If you fall from a great height, onto a hard surface or into a dangerous environment, the risk of severe injuries can be quite high.
- Other hazardous conditions: How you land and the presence of other objects in the vicinity of a fall can also lead to worse injuries. For instance, falling on your head can result in more serious injuries than falling on your stomach. If you fall in a construction zone, you could also be hurt by debris or heavy machinery.
If any of these factors played a role in a recent fall you experienced, you are very likely suffering from some considerable health problems. If your injuries are actually disabling, you should explore your options for Social Security disability benefits to help you though this difficult time. The benefits available through SSDI can provide people with much-needed financial support when they cannot work due to injury.